India, Jan. 13 -- The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a constitutional challenge to the law granting blanket permanent immunity from any criminal prosecution to the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners for any of their acts or decisions in discharge of their official duty even as it refused to stay the law.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant sought the response of the Centre and Election Commission of India (ECI) while issuing notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a non-profit organisation Lok Prahari. The matter has been tentatively posted for hearing in March.

The NGO was represented by its founder SN Shukla, who questioned the immunity provided under section 16 ...